Quakers Yard

Quakers Yard Welsh: Mynwent y Crynwyr
Quakers Yard Location within Merthyr Tydfil
OS grid reference	ST093965
Community	Treharris
Principal area	Merthyr Tydfil
Preserved county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Merthyr Tydfil
Postcode district	CF46
Dialling code	01443
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

Quakers Yard (Welsh: Mynwent y Crynwyr) is a village in the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, situated where the Taff Bargoed Valley joins the Taff Valley. Quakers Yard is part of the community of Treharris.

History

Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug

The early place name for the district was 'Rhyd y Grug' or 'The Ford of the Rustling Waters'. This ford was a simple and easy crossing place of the nearby River Taff, close to its junction with the smaller Taff Bargoed river. The ford was replaced in later years by the narrow stone bridge over the River Taff. Quakers Yard railway station opened in 1858.

During the early 17th century those who 'dissented' from the King's Religion were persecuted. This often took the form of imprisonment, or death. By about 1650 a 'dissenting group' of Baptists, independents and Quakers were worshipping at nearby Berthlwyd Farm, Pentwyn (Top of the Hill). The Quakers in turn, soon broke away to establish their own separate community. In the year 1667, these Quakers opened their own Quaker burial ground. It was on a piece of land on the Pantannas Estate and was owned by Mary Chapman. In her will of 1700, she left the burial ground to the Quakers. However, this burial ground was very small as the Quakers did not want to draw attention to it. To find this burial ground now is even harder as a new road in Quakers Yard was built through this site.

Notable people

One of the most famous British boxers of all time, Jimmy Wilde (1892–1969) was born at Pentwyn Deintyr, Quakers Yard. Known as 'The ghost with the Hammer in his hand', he fought 864 contests and lost on 4 occasions only. He was Flyweight Champion of the World (Universal) from 1916 to 1921.

Mint humbug thief Nathan Spain also resides in the village.

Schools

Ysgol Gymraeg Gynradd Rhyd y Grug

Unfortunately this Welsh primary school has relocated to Aberfan. It has been demolished.

Railways

Quakers Yard station is located on the Merthyr Line in Treharris. The station was opened as "Quakers Yard Low Level" by the Taff Vale Railway in 1858.

External links

• Old Merthyr Tydfil: Quakers Yard - Historical Photographs of Quakers Yard.